NASA is the space agency run by the United States to oversee American space exploration, research and technology. NASA, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was founded in 1958 as a civilian agency for U.S. space exploration. Prior to 1958, the agency's progenitor was known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA develops, builds and launches missions to study the Earth, moon and sun, as well as the entire solar system and beyond. The agency has its headquarters in Washington D.C., with major centers in Florida (the Kennedy Space Center for launches) and Houston (the Johnson Space Center, home of the astronaut corps). Other centers are spread across the country for scientific research, test flights and spacecraft manufacturing. NASA's current chief is Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who is leading the agency's mission of returning astronauts to the moon and sending them on to Mars. See the latest NASA news.
Related Topics: Apollo Program, China Space Program, Incredible Space Tech, International Space Station, Interstellar Travel
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Latest about NASA
Trump's 2026 budget would slash NASA funding by 24% and its workforce by nearly one third
The Trump administration's 2026 budget request cuts NASA funding by $6 billion, which would lead to the cancellation of Mars sample-return and other high-profile missions.
Europe wants to land a tiny spacecraft on the infamous asteroid Apophis in 2029
ESA is preparing a mission to study and land on asteroid Apophis during its close encounter with Earth in 2029. NASA is also looking into a possible Apophis effort but faces funding issues.
Why is the European Space Agency beaming a waltz at NASA's Voyager 1 probe this weekend?
Saturday's celestial concert salutes ESA's 50th anniversary and 200th birthday of Johann Strauss II.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope mission — Live updates
Read the latest news about NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
Astronomers discover mystery cosmic body bursting with X-rays: 'This object is unlike anything we have seen before'
The mystery surrounding a strange cosmic object, or 'long-period transient,' has deepened. This object is bursting with X-rays, and astronomers describe it as unlike anything seen before.
SpaceX cargo Dragon departs International Space Station, begins return journey to Earth
SpaceX's 32nd robotic Dragon cargo mission has undocked from the International Space Station Friday (May 23), after a one-day delay due to bad weather at the splashdown site.
Portrait of a moon buggy | Space photo of the day for May 19, 2025
NASA's prototype for a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) is seen lit in white and blue in an award-winning photograph.
NASA picks Rocket Lab to launch shoebox-sized Aspera space telescope in 2026
NASA has selected Rocket Lab to launch its Aspera smallsat mission, which will study gases in the vast regions of space between galaxies.
